St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-06
RAILWAYS AND WAREHOUSES.
Results Obtai"ed and suggestions
~ TO the ErfUra.

Results Obtaised and suggestions
as to the FrstUre.
In response to manifest demand of the
public interest and the popular Wild, the legis-
lature of 1885 inaugurated new policy of
state control of railway and warehouse man
agement. The laws enacted for the super
vision and regulation OF these interests have
been on trial the past two years, and the re-
suits accomplish ed hereunder are submitted
to you b the board Of commissioners, VINO
were specially charged with their execution.
The work of the commission has been
laborious, difficult, in many of its details ex-
tremelY delicate, but in all respects most
efficient; showing more substantial results
than could reasonably have been expected
from the administration of laws necessarily
imperfect, inaSmuch as they were largely eX-
detrimental. An early noted defect in the law
for 1.-The regulation of raj road companies"
was the limited power vested in the commits
sion. Tnis often proved an embarrassment,
but the sagacity OF the board largely obviated
the effect. The could "aivise,'' REQUEST
and in exceptional c:s-s promulgate
their Judgment in Ian order" to, the
railroad companies, but compliance as q
rule, could be obtained only by the voluntary
action of the corporations themselves 1t is
therefore cause for congratuation that so
much has been realized III the way OF relief.
Briefly outlined there has been secured under
this law, thlo igh the agency of the comms-
SION, a free and open market with the right of
unrestricted shipment for grain on every line
Of railway i'll the state EXCEPT one; a mate
rial reduction on all the roads of rates
charged for the transportation Of grain, live
stock, lumber, wood aud general farm pro-
ducts. amounting in the aggregate to over
one million dollars per annum; a general re-
ducton of all passenger tariffs to q maximum
charge of cents per mile, and virtual abo-
lition Of the oiious transit system, by an
elimination of its Objectionable and burden
some featu eS.
These results have been reached through
the patient, persistent and often prolonged
efforts of the commission, involving an eX-
haustive investigation of the subject of rail-
way anspOrtation n its many phases and to
its remutest detail, and elaborate illustration
by comparison of its relative cost as between
different companies under varied and diverse
conditions. The facts developed by this re-
search fortified the commission in the preseu-
tation OF its demands upon the companies,
and secured concessions which otherwise
it would hardly have been possible to obtain.
In but one instance have the commission had
to resort TO the courts to enforce its demands.
and in this case the lower court has decided
in favor of the law. The cause is now pend
ing in he supreme court.
Minnesota has now fairly lnaugurated q
policy re pecting state supervision and con-
tro of railroad mpanies which, if suffi-
GENTLY Strengthened, and wisely and firmly
administered. will lead believe, TO such sue
j
that should obtain between these corpora
tons and the public, as is possible under
separate and independent state action. The
problem can not however, reach solution
entirely satisfactory, until the general gov
eminent shall supplement state action By a
federal policy, which shall have in view the
determination of questions relating to inter-
state commerce. The public sentiment of
the country, with marked unanimity, is de-
handing of congress legislation to this end.
1t remains TO be seen how long adverse in
f1uences shall postpone its enactment.
The commissioners recommend such anne i'd
ments and changes in the law as their ex-
perience and investigations have suggested
are necessary to make it more effective. I
bespeak for them your hearty Endorsement
and 1 earnestly invoke your early action re-
speeding the additional legislation contem-
plated in the drafts of laws they submit for
your consideration.
Clearly in my view, the commissioners
should be authorized TO revise and amend the
tariffs of the railroad companies respecting